BY MBONGENI NDLELA
MBABANE – Team Eswatini has left for Tokyo to represent the Kingdom in the
upcoming Olympics.
Before their trip, the team bid farewell to Minister of Sports Harries Bulunga on
Thursday ahead of their participation at the Tokyo Olympics. The team consists of
four athletes; Sibusiso Matsenjwa (athletics), Robyn Young, Simanga Dlamini
(both swimming) and Thabiso Dlamini (boxing).
Athletes Representative Sibusiso Matsenjwa said they were honoured to go
represent the country at the Tokyo Olympics. “”We promise to do Eswatini proud. We thank Government, EOCGA, sporting
associations, coaches and parents for allowing us to train and prepare for the
Games during such trying times,” Matsenjwa said.
Minister Bulunga said; “I congratulate all of you who have the huge honour of
representing the country in Tokyo. You have surpassed thousands of active athletes
spread across the country to have the honour of representing your country at the
pinnacle event of international sport.”
He continued: “I urge you to make sure that you represent our country and what we
stand for as emaSwati well. We are a Nation widely known for our respect for
other people, our humanity and indeed our peace. I therefore challenge you to
embody these traits”
Bulunga stated that the past few weeks have been difficult for Eswatini. “however, as we begin to emerge from this difficult period, we are also looking to
you as a Team to be the glue that replenishes our unity as a Nation. Sport has the
unmatched power of uniting people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Eswatini Olympics and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA)
President Adam Mthethwa said:”We are proud of our athletes and we are confident
that they will represent us well.”
Team Eswatini is led by Pearl Dlamini and also consists of coaches Fanana
Dlamini, Welcome Nhlabatsi and Muzi Mabuza. Thabiso Dlamini and Robyn
Young will be the country’s pallbearers at the Games.
